AUTHOR’S NOTE

If you’re like most people, you’re capable of so much more than you’ve imagined for your life. You have the capacity to move people, to inspire them, to provide hope to the despondent and direction to the lost. You have the ability to educate and electrify, inform and inspire, but only if you believe in your ability to do so.

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Don’t let negative labels hold you back from achieving your destiny. Some people might tell you that you’re not good enough, that you don’t have what it takes to make a compelling business pitch or to give a great presentation. Often the worst labels are those we place on ourselves. I find that leaders who are nervous about speaking in public say the most awful things to themselves—words that they would never say to anyone else. I’ve heard leaders say:

I’m terrible at giving presentations.
I got nervous once and it ruined me. I’m a horrible public speaker.
Nobody wants to listen to me. I’m boring.

If these are the type of phrases you repeat to yourself day after day, it’s no wonder you get nervous! You can’t control what other people say about you but you can control how you frame those comments and you can most certainly control the things you tell yourself. Instead of replaying negative thoughts over and over again, reframe your thoughts and replace those negative labels with words of encouragement, empowerment, and strength.

Remember, ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century. Your ideas will change the direction of your life and potentially change the world. Don’t let anything—including negative labels—stand in your way.

At the end of my interview with TED speaker Larry Smith, he said, “I wish you success.” Smith doesn’t say “Good luck” because luck has little to do with your success. You don’t need luck to be an inspiring speaker. You need examples, techniques, passion, and practice. You also need courage—the courage to follow your passion, articulate your ideas simply, and express what makes your heart sing.

Wishing you success,
Carmine Gallo